Yesterday we made a promised return visit to historic Woolmers Estate, which we visited in late February, .
exploring the grounds and many original outbuildings that make up this property.
Visiting the Woolmers homestead and wandering among its outbuildings is like taking a step back in time,
imagining the life of a successful early Australian settler and his family. Never far away are the images of the assigned convict labourers that supported it all. Lately, this has far more relevance for me as my sister delves deeper into our early family uncovering a strong convict connection.
The first photo shows the original house , which dates back to 1819, and was simple and functional in design, as befits the era. The new Italianate front was added about 1840 and nods to the family’s increasing prosperity, no doubt drawing on housing styles in England at the time as one of the family’s sons studied architecture there.
The coach house and stables also date to about 1840 and used to house up to twelve , no doubt extremely fine horses. The stables had ventilators at the back of each stall to circulate air and a pulley system hoisted fodder up to the floor above.
Woolmers is also home to the National Rose Garden, first opened in 2001, planted on what once was the original apple orchard.
A rustic seat in the rose garden , the perfect spot to sit and take in the beauty all around me. Even though most of the roses have finished flowering , a few late bloomers give a hint of what will come next November.
The collection includes many historic varieties and is a sight to behold, to say nothing of smell.
I hope you have enjoyed a small glimpse into the early history of my part of the world.
For the history tour I was wearing a black peplum jumper by Sabatini, black pants and a cotton leopard print coat , some of my bangles and a resin necklace and a hat bought many years ago, it is from Crochetta.
Linking with Turning Heads Tuesday, Sydney Fashion Hunter on Wednesday and Style Crone for Hat Attack later in the week.
The coat is stunning, and I love the pop of colour with your accesories! It looks like you had a fun day, too.
We did have a great day , including lunch , as the weather was perfect. As you know I am a fan of leopard print and wear it as a neutral mainly over my blacks.
More beautiful photos! I especially love that burnt orange bag and hatband, you bring a splash of colour to the fading Autumnal landscape around you!
Thank you so much, pleased you enjoyed the photos.You are so right about the fading Autumn landscape as the trees become bare of their leaves.
So interesting to learn about the early settlers! It must have been very hard work to start a farm in the middle of nowhere, under the burning Southern sun. I do like that Italian style front of the house :-)Your hat is so pretty, and with the shades you fit right in at Cote d'Azur!!! I really like your bangles, it seems like you have a rather large collection?
I am pleased you found the little history tour interesting, Tine. I am sure our early settlers struggled in conditions so very different to what they were used to.I have had this hat for many years and always enjoy wearing it.
A beautiful post Jill! I love learning family history and the rose garden and early 1800s history is very interesting. Love the pretty print and of course the organge bag and matching ribbon in your glorious hat!thanks for linking up with TH Tuesday!jess xxwww.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
Thank you Jess for your kind comments and for once again hosting Turning Heads Tuesday. I am pleased you found the history side of the post interesting.
Great pictures! You and your photographer could start a travel magazine and I'd want to visit this rose garden for sure. Then I'd want to take your coat back home on the ferry with me. 😉
Joni you have made the photographer's day, he is very pleased with your comment.(my husband) . A great location always helps, the rose garden is at its best in mid November so I will return then. Glad you liked the coat, it was a cheap buy at a local department store.
I'm so happy to see your happy face here, Jill! Looove the history tour. The theme of first settlers resonates with me on so many levels – as an immigrant, for one, and as someone started new things, I really know what it takes to take something off the ground when there was nothing before you. Vision, enthusiasm, dedication, hard work and lots of love and soul, that's what it takes. Love the photos, your husband certainly was inspired!This outfit is classy and nostalgic with the pelerine (cape) detail and your sac de voyage – I almost can see the antique train you stepped out of. 🙂 xxx
Thank you dear Natalia, I am always happy you share my in interest in our history. I agree that early settlers and immigrants newly arrived share so many things.Your poetic comments are always so appreciated, now where is that train?
Fabulous pictures. But what really caught my attention is your hat!! I adore that shape. And of course the coat is a stunner. Happy weekend!!
Thank you Jennifer, I can see we are fellow hat lovers. So good of you to drop by.
I can't blame Mimi for nominating you "Most Fashionable Traveler". (I must admit it hurt a little), but your gorgeous hat with the big red band, orange tote and leopard print coat all against an historic estate–wow, you deserve the title!
Mimi, you are so very kind, I humbly accept your kind nomination.
It was interesting to take this historic mini-photo-tour along with you, Jill! I like that bench you are sitting on. Your leopard print coat is a real eye-catcher, what a piece! The whole look is so elegant and stunning!
Olga, thank you so much , I am glad you enjoyed our little tour.